Library project earns state, national mention
Marion City Library is earning state and national acclaim for its renovation project, city commissioners learned Monday.
The library relocated this summer to the former Santa Fe depot, which underwent extensive renovation.
Kansas Government Journal magazine featured Marion in an article on restoration of historic buildings, reported Janet Marler, librarian.
Library Journal, a national magazine on library activities, included a news brief on the project.
And the library earned mention by Hennon's American Public Library Ratings Index, ranking 814th out of 1,629 libraries of similar size nationwide.
The ratings index is based on analysis of circulation, materials, funding, and other areas, Marler said. This year's index is based on Fiscal Year 2000 statistics, before the move was made.
Chemical response
City officials have developed a procedure to follow in case another potentially hazardous chemical is disposed of in the trash truck.
A vapor was expelled by the truck Oct. 7 when the trash was compacted, causing one of the operators to become ill.
A search of the trash uncovered a partial container, which apparently contained a discontinued farm use chemical that forms a hazardous gas when it comes in contact with moisture, said Michel Soyez, interim police chief.
"It is believed the container was nearly empty and was possibly deposited into Leith's Service trash container by a farmer cleaning trash out of their vehicle," he said. "But we'll probably never know for sure."
Safety classes will be given to all city employees to better prepare them for such incidents, said interim administrator David Mayfield.
Soyez said the department isn't prepared for such incidents, in that it does not have protective chemical suits or self-contained breathing units.
While the suits are expensive, about $200 each, they must be decontaminated and disposed of after use, Mayfield said. However, this would be less expensive than a group of firefighters ending up having to dispose of contaminated bunker gear, which runs $400 or so per set.
Marion County Emergency Preparedness is receiving response suits through a grant and is distributing them to fire departments, Mayfield said.
Mayor Eloise Mueller asked about response in a major incident, such as a train derailment.
"Our role is evacuation," said Officer Dean Keyes. With too few people and too little equipment, officers will concentrate on moving people a safe distance from the derailment while state crews respond and contain the spill.
In other reports:
Clean Up Week in Marion starts Monday.
About 84 percent of surveys sent out recently were returned, reported Susan Cooper, economic development director. The surveys were used to determine number of residents identified as being low to moderate income. About 60 percent met the definition, Cooper said.
Larry and Linda McLain will donate a bicycle rack to the library, Marler announced.
Commissioners hired Travis Schafers to pick up and transfer stray dogs after hours. City crews will pick up dogs during regular hours. Fee is $20 per dog. Animal Health Center of Marion County will continue to hold dogs at $10 a day plus a $20 disposal fee, but no longer wants to pick up strays.
An electrical license was approved for James Fowler, Emporia, doing business as Shelley Electric, Inc.
Commissioners approved a recommendation that Jerry Engler be allowed to continue cleanup of property at 548 West Washington, with weekly inspections to ensure work is being done.
Checks totaling $39,264 were approved to pay bills.
